Choosing the Right Clinic for Me
It’s been about a year since I was first introduced to the idea of the Lap Band procedure. When I saw the news on Carnie Wilson who underwent the same procedure, after a failed attempt to lose weight with the Gastric Bypass, I started to look more into it. It took me several months to get the courage to contact the clinics and when I finally did, I scheduled a consultation with two of my top picks. When I called to schedule my appointments, I felt more comfortable with one clinic over the other, but since this was probably one of the most important decisions I was ever going to make, I continued on to meet with both clinics.
I followed my instincts and chose the SmartShape Weight Loss Centre. Not only did I like how the clinic treated me and how I felt comfortable with them, but the fact that I was able to meet with my surgeon was really important to me. He took the time to answer all of my questions as well as my husband’s. I left the clinic feeling confident in my decision to proceed with the Lap Band and scheduled my procedure with the clinic.
I have had my Lap-Band for about 5 months now. My experience with SmartShape pre and post surgery has been nothing but positive. Their team continues to keep in touch with me and provide me the guidance that I need to be successful in my weight loss journey. I am continuing to lose weight gradually, but admit it hasn’t been easy. I’m learning to make wiser decisions with my food options and trying out the tips the nurses have recommended. I have also joined the gym with my husband and enjoy the support he has given me. When people ask me why I chose to have the Lap Band procedure, I always tell them “For the first time, I wanted to do something for myself.”
Read what the SmartShape Weight Loss Program is all about!
Can Traditional Diets Sustain Weight Loss?
Traditional diets require patients to eat either smaller portions or limit their dietary choices. Patients fall of the diet wagon because the smaller portions or restricted food choices are rarely sustainable.
When we diet, the brain thinks the food supply has been restricted and views this as a threat to survival. As a result, diets lead to enhanced sensations of hunger and cravings because the body is used to the larger portions that have contributed to their obesity. When portions are reduced or food choices are restricted the body responds by increasing the sensation of hunger. Eventually patients are unsuccessful because they are not able to maintain the willpower indefinitely. The body is then primed to put all the weight back on that has been lost and in many cases even more weight is gained. The cycle of yo-yo dieting is very common and a universal experience of chronically overweight or obese patients.
Study shows less than 2% of patients who start a diet are able to maintain a 20 pound weight loss for 2 years. The repeated failure of dieting then leads to increased feelings of failure and despair.
With the Lap-Band, patients are able to eat smaller portions and not feel the hunger and cravings traditionally associated with diets. Because it’s a permanent implant, patients are able to achieve sustained weight loss.
Is the Lap-Band right for you? Connect with us today!
Sole with Goat Cheese & Lemon
Ingredients
- 4 fillets (about ¼ lbs each)
- 6 oz. soft low fat goat cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bunch fresh chives
- 1 lemon—half juiced, half sliced into 4 thin rounds
- 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
- salt & pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly oil a baking sheet and set aside.
- Use the back of a fork to mash the goat cheese with the garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper.
- Lay a sole fillet on a clean cutting board and use a butter knife or rubber spatula to spread it liberally with 1/4 of the goat cheese mixture. Lay a small bunch of chives (7-8 long ones) in the center of the cheese, so that the fish and the chives form a cross.
- Gently roll the sole around the chives, cheese-side in, so the chives are sticking out of either end of the wrapped-up fish. Place on the prepared pan. Repeat with remaining fish, filling and chives.
- Top each sole roll-up with a slice of lemon and gently secure with a toothpick. Top with more pepper and bake for 10-12 minutes
- Serve immediately.